Best New Technology

The new Sony Bravia J1 series consist of three LCD HDTVs which are avaliable in four different colors. The Sony J1 series is a step down from the larger sizes Bravia V1 series, and offers a 720p LCD screen on 20, 26, and 32-inch sizes. Firstly, the Bravia J1’s look great (and similar the the V1’s) with a silver finish at the bottom of the screen and a slim bezel, and are avaliable in black, silver, red and brown.

As the biggest screen size is 32-inches, the 720p resolution should be more than enough pixels to get a great image. The smallest 20-inch model the KDL-20J1 has a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, the 26-inch KDL-26J1 a 2,000:1, and the largest 32-inch KDL-32J1 a higher 2,500:1 ratio.

Apart from the LCD resolution, the difference between the Sony J1 series and the V1, is the J1’s lack the 120Hz processing, but still retain the USB and Ethernet connectivity functions. Other connections and the Bravia J1’s include 2x HDMI and PC VGA input. All three sets will be out in Japan in March, we look forward to world wide release.

• Sony KDL20J1 | 20-Inch
• Sony KDL26J1 | 26-Inch
• Sony KDL32J1 | 32-Inch

If you insist on using your crappy iPhone camera for anything but snapshots, you can now add a cheap plastic wide-angle converter to further reduce image quality. Billed as plug and play, the $12 iphone Wide Angle Lens slides over the top of the Stupendabrick, reduces the focal length by 0.68x and gives it a curiously Dalek-like appearance. See the before and after comparison shots below.

In the manner of the Lomo, using this could be fun in a low-res way. Serious snappers, though, should consider buying a real camera.

Product page [USB Fever via Red Ferret]

With the sea being the main means of transporting oil, it is inevitable that accidental spills will continue to happen, being a threat to the marine environment. An immediate cleanup response is essential in order to minimize the negative impact around the environment, and thankfully we have the SOTAB 1 (Spilled Oil Tracking Autonomous Buoy) robot from Osaka University that features imaging sensors that help it track down floating gobs of oil from a distance. Viscosity sensors will then tell it whether oil is in the area, while a wind monitor, depth meter and water thermometer garners addition data. Each SOTAB 1 is GPS-equipped for easier location, and multiple SOTAB 1s working in unison make it a snap to monitor a wide area.

I guess the days for analog dashboard panels will be over sometime in the near future, as the hybrid Crown from Toyota already features a full LCD meter panel. These meters and the LCD panel were joint-developed by Denso Corp. and Sharp Corp., respectively. The meter panel ain’t too shabby at 12.3″ in size, featuring a resolution of 1,280 x 480, boasting an operating temperature range that lies between -30 to +85°C. Guess that’s pretty hardy to last just about anywhere you park on this earth. Finally, meter colors can be changed according to one’s whims and fancies, while the meter frames are color coded so that you know whether you’re in “sports mode” or “eco mode”.

Source: Tech On!

Looks like the death of HD DVD has brought about cheap HD DVD players which have been rebranded to “upconverting DVD players with HD DVD playback”. Microsoft is certainly playing along assuming this rumor is correct - the Xbox 360’s HD DVD player is currently being lined up for a price cut, with a speculated price of $50 being bandied about. No idea if anyone is actually going to purchase this even if the price drops to less than that - perhaps curious folks who wonder what the hd dvd fuss is all about.

Samsung has just filed yet another patent application for a holographic 3D projection display cell phone, and while this idea is cool, I’m not sure whether I buy it since there are way too many technical issues involved and to consider.

Although it has been assumed in the above description that the panel-type waveguide according to the present invention is used as a screen, on which source images emitted by the optical unit are two-dimensionally displayed, the panel-type waveguide may be replaced with a three-dimensional hologram screen so that source images emitted by the optical unit are three-dimensionally displayed on a plane spaced from the hologram screen by a predetermined distance.

Will you pick up a handset that features holographic 3D optical displays? I bet they’d cost a bomb and drain a battery faster than a Hummer drinks fuel.

Tattoos are cool, but getting yourself inked often requires serious consideration since the removal process is excruciatingly painful. The Digital Tattoo concept by Jim Kielke features a tiny, implantable display that will hook up to an artery and a vein for its power, and can display information such as caller ID and carry out video chats on one’s arm. Interestingly enough, it is also capable of monitoring your health while alert you of any impending screw-ups in your health. This is all too Big Brother for my taste - hopefully the day doesn’t come where the Digital Tattoo is made compulsory.

I live in a snow-less state (Hawaii), so I can’t relate to those who have ruined their credit cards by using them as ice scrapers. I don’t even know what an ice scraper is! We use squeegees on our windshields occasionally, but that’s about the extent of our winter-weather tools here.

Even so, I can still see the value in something like this Wallet Ice Scraper (£5) from Touch of Ginger. I wonder if it’ll cut through a coconut . . .

Via Daily Gadget.

Posted Feb 22nd 2008 2:58AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Wearables

Okay, so this whole digital tattoo concept still seems more reasonable than littering one’s body with Zune imagery or the BSOD message, but we’re still a tad creeped out. Dreamed up by Jim Mielke, this minuscule, implantable display would reportedly connect to an artery and a vein for its power and could display caller ID information as well as video chats right on one’s arm. Best of all, this thing won’t become the source of all kinds of regret when you head over the hill, as it could also be used to constantly monitor certain aspects of your health and give you a heads-up if anything goes awry. If you’re not squirming in your seat at the mere thought of this, it may indeed be right down your alley — one day, that is.

[Thanks, D]

Fernando Orellana and Brendan Burns’ Sleep Walking is a robot that creates dance routines based on brainwave activity and eye movements recorded during sleep. Watch the video and behold the wonder.

Sleep Waking [Fernando Orellana’s Website]